What is social science research?

Social science research is the research that scientists do that focuses on the causes and motivations of human behavior. Social scientists seek to understand why and how individuals and groups behave. These researchers apply the scientific method to examine behavior. Social scientists collect and analyze data in order to perform their research. You can put social science research to use in the fields of psychology and sociology, and you can apply your findings to any number of industries from economics to public health to business.

Why is it important to learn about social science research?

Social science research helps you learn about the reasons behind human behavior. Just as other forms of science can help you comprehend the world around you, social sciences can help you understand the motivations behind human actions and reactions, as well as how our institutions regulate and control behavior. You can apply the principles of social science research to help people become safer, healthier, and better connected to individuals and groups around them. The study of social science can help improve society as well.

What are careers that use social science research?

The two major disciplines that rely on social science research are psychology and sociology. Psychologists study the motivations and reasons behind the behavior of individuals and groups, while sociologists study the factors that determine the behavior of larger groups of people. If you perform social science research, either as a psychologist or sociologist, you can conduct studies for educational institutions or foundations. You can also work as a consultant to corporations or nonprofit organizations to help them better serve their clients and customers. Social science research allows you to help make life better for people locally and globally.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn about social science research?

When you take online courses on Coursera, you can learn a variety of topics from the history of social science disciplines to the issues that face today's analysts and researchers. You can learn the basics of effective statistical research, or you can take courses that explore more specific topics like how social science research affects the law profession or how to include more minorities in your research projects. Coursera hosts courses from prestigious partners like Vanderbilt University, the University of London, and Johns Hopkins University. From statistical analysis to the technological applications of data, you'll gain a firm grasp of the concepts you need to be successful in psychological or sociological research.

What are the benefits of taking an online Social Science Research course?

Online Social Science Research courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Social Science Research skills. Choose from a wide range of Social Science Research courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Social Science Research courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Social Science Research, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Social Science Research Courses - Learn Social Science Research Online

Explore the Social Science Research Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Digital Marketing
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Online Advertising, Marketing Analytics, Keyword Research, Email Marketing, Digital Media Strategy, Digital Advertising, Google Analytics, Analytics, Marketing Communications, Content Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Marketing, Digital Marketing, Web Analytics, Marketing Strategies, Integrated Marketing Communications, Performance Analysis, Trend Analysis, Consumer Behaviour
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
23K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Back-end JavaScript Developer
Skills you'll gain: Istio, HTML and CSS, Node.JS, Containerization, Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Kubernetes, Server Side, MongoDB, Application Deployment, Cloud-Native Computing, NoSQL, Restful API, OpenShift, Git (Version Control System), Cloud Applications, GitHub, Serverless Computing, Ajax, Interviewing Skills
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
6.9K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Security Engineer
Skills you'll gain: Application Performance Management, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Google Cloud Platform, Kubernetes, Cloud Infrastructure, Identity and Access Management, Data Loss Prevention, Load Balancing, System Monitoring, Prompt Engineering, Network Monitoring, Cloud Computing Architecture, Containerization, Network Architecture, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Network Security, OAuth, Network Routing, Cloud Security, Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
50K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Dartmouth College
Environmental Science
Skills you'll gain: Environment, Environmental Issue, Environmental Science, Water Resources, Environmental Policy, Biology, Systems Thinking, Energy and Utilities, Physics, Chemistry
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
271 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Generative AI for Data Scientists
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, ChatGPT, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Ethics, OpenAI, Feature Engineering, Predictive Modeling, Large Language Modeling, Artificial Intelligence, Data Storytelling, Program Development, Data Modeling, Data Presentation, Predictive Analytics, Data Synthesis, Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Data Visualization Software, Image Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.8K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Data Structures and Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Graph Theory, Algorithms, Network Routing, Program Development, Debugging, Network Model, Bioinformatics, Operations Research, Data Storage, Development Testing, Test Engineering, Software Testing, Theoretical Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Network Analysis, Test Case, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Epidemiology
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
17K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Process Data from Dirty to Clean
Skills you'll gain: Data Cleansing, Sampling (Statistics), Data Integrity, Data Quality, Data Validation, Sample Size Determination, Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, SQL, Data Transformation, Spreadsheet Software
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Get Started with Python
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Analysis, Data Structures, Jupyter, Python Programming, NumPy, Pandas (Python Package), Programming Principles, Scripting, Data Manipulation, Algorithms
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Visual Design, Logo Design, Design Software, Digital Design, Creative Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Color Theory, Adobe InDesign, Photo Editing, Photography, Style Guides, Branding, Peer Review, Art History, Design, Design Strategies, Design Research
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
21K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
AI Agent Developer
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI Agents, Generative AI, OpenAI, Ideation, Verification And Validation, Data Validation, Data Presentation, Productivity, AI Personalization, Document Management, Python Programming, Agentic systems, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Artificial Intelligence, Personalized Service, Large Language Modeling, Risk Management Framework, Expense Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Eindhoven University of Technology
Process Mining: Data science in Action
Skills you'll gain: Process Analysis, Process Improvement, Business Process Management, Data Mining, Business Process Modeling, Process Optimization, Data Processing, Performance Analysis, Big Data, Real Time Data, Data Science, Verification And Validation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Network Engineer
Skills you'll gain: Application Performance Management, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Infrastructure, Load Balancing, System Monitoring, Prompt Engineering, Kubernetes, Network Performance Management, Network Monitoring, Cloud Computing Architecture, Containerization, Network Architecture, Network Security, Cloud Storage, Cloud Services, Identity and Access Management, Network Routing, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Network Troubleshooting
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
49K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months